Congratulations! You are doing amazing! But I thought you were just gorgeous at RWA, so just keep doing whatever it is you're doing. :)

I love exercise, actually, even though I don't think I will ever see a size eight (but who knows??? LOL) though I do have an elliptical, but I prefer activity kinds of exercise, like working in the garden, or walking/hiking, kayaking, etc. I get bored with exercise machines, etc though I do do sets of situps every other day, and some weights, and I will do a daily or every-other day Wii workout just to keep moving, especially during heavy writing weeks, where I don't get as much of the other activities. I am pretty strong and have good endurance, though I do need to lose a bit more weight. I might have a 2 or 6 pack somewhere underneath, you just can't see it, LOL!

I think slow and steady is the way to go weightloss wise. I have lost 21lbs in 2 years just cutting down on things, but I think I might have to step it up either in exercise or in diet to lose another 10 or 20, which is my goal... I would love to lose another 25 lbs, or so, and then be done. I would probably be around a size 12-14 at that point, which would be fine with me. And eight would be nice, but I don't think I'll ever be that ambitious. *G*
Sam

I hate excercise !!! It's something I wish I'd never have to do but unfortunatly I wasn't gifted with one of those super efficient metabolism. DH just baught a 2 seats bycicle so me can ride it 3 times a week. It's a good start. Maybe I'll try those torture appliances one day, who knows ?? ;-)

I wish I could turn my own complete disbelief at what I now look like in pictures into a better dietary/workout routine. I did that once before, lost a bunch of weight and happily fit into clothing sizes I hadn't seen in ages. Then gradually the darn weight came back and so i started a solid exercise regiment. That worked until I injured myself and now I'm struggling with finding the balance between exercise/diet vs pain/sweet-tooth. So far I'm losing the battle.

I loved taking step class but can no longer do that, so am trying to walk nearly every day and lift some weights when I can.

Today I made some of my favorite muffins for my college-age daughter and didn't touch a one. That was a bit of a victory for me.

When I was walking this morning I noticed a neighbor who has struggled with weight for years is now down again and her success, along with ones like yours that I read about, will hopefully give me the inspiration to keep making steps in the right direction.

Congrats on your new addiction!

Walking is my favorite form of exercise. I also like yoga and light aerobics, nothing too fast paced.

Shirley, I am awed and inspired by your story!! You look absolutely fabulous, and I wouldn't have guessed that you needed to lose anything.

As my husband says, there is definitely more of me to love now than there was when we were first married. I've gone from a size 6 to a size 14, and although I've recently lost fifteen pounds (cutting back to a 1200 calorie per day diet), I have another 35 to go. But I hate to exercise. I mean, I really, really, REALLY hate to exercise. I borrowed my mom's treadmill one winter when she was in Florida, intending to use it every night, but in the end it just collected dust. DH and I went for a 2-mile walk with the dog the other day, but I was just about in traction later that night. We did buy two kayaks about a month ago, and I have to say I am enjoying kayaking on the river, but not sure it counts as exercise. It's too easy and too much fun.

I have no idea what an elliptical machine is. It sounds scary.

I think I would enjoy doing something, especially since I was a fairly good athlete in high school, and an excellent runner. It just seems that between working full time, writing, and family, there are so many other things I'd rather do. I'm not going to lie and say I don't have time, because I could make the time. So I guess the best thing to do is just start out small...short walks, etc. I may have to try the Pilates routine, too.

Thanks for making me see that it can be done! And with wonderful results! You look terrific!

Excellent blog,Shirley and you've motivated me. I was an athlete and depended on the ahtletic metabolism for years. Then one day I realized that I hadn't done anything athletic for a while. And it showed. So I took up running with my husband. It took years to learn to like it. But I loved the results. Last year was the first year I went running alone while my husband was on his summer job and then I knew I really was a runner. I do yoga and pilates, too.

You look great, by the way.